Staff Scientist II, Discovery Biology and Translational Research

at  Protagonist Therapeutics

Staff Scientist II, Discovery Biology and Translational Research
The drug discovery and development team at Protagonist Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Scientist for a full-time research laboratory position. The individual is expected to perform cell-based screening, biochemical and functional assays, work collaboratively and independently in support of multiple research programs, and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Key responsibilities:

• Scientific role, initially in the area of metabolic diseases
• Hands-on benchwork for assay development, assay troubleshooting/optimizations and for screening, including high-throughput cell-based assays, in formats that may utilize plate-based reporter assays, ELISA assays, multiplex technologies, flow cytometry etc.
• Design and perform experiments towards understanding the target biology and drug mechanism of action
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate scientific data to the project team in a timely manner
• Lead and/or assist in writing and revising technical documents including testing protocols and data reports
• Guide junior scientists and work collaboratively within biology group and other functional groups in discovery team
• Support data management, maintain cell lines, reagent & sample inventories as per needs of the project
• Ensure reagents, instruments, processes are up-to-date and meet the industry standard

Qualifications:

• PhD (with ~3-4years of industry experience) or MS (with 8-10 years of industry experience) in Immunology, Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related fields
• Prior experience and understanding in the area of metabolic disease, obesity, diabetes, muscle function and/or related areas is strongly desired
• Proficiency in the following techniques and related instrumentation: screening assays (high-throughput), maintaining cells lines, working with primary cells, cell-based assay development, ELISA, flow cytometry, multiplex formats etc.
• Experience with handling of tissue samples from pre-clinical models, blood-based and primary cell-based experiments, and experience in molecular biology techniques is helpful
• Proficiency with software such as GraphPad Prism, flow cytometry software and Microsoft Office, for data analysis, figure generation, data management and uploading
• Attention to detail with excellent organizational, experimental data recording and time management skills
• Ability to develop new skillsets and knowledge will be necessary to successfully support assigned projects
• Capability to work independently and simultaneously on multiple tasks is highly desirable
• Ability to interact effectively with team members and function collaboratively in a highly productive, dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $120,000 and $140,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Protagonist Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with peptide-based new chemical entities (NCEs) rusfertide and JNJ-2113 (formerly PN-235) in advanced Phase 3 stages of clinical development, both derived from the Company’s proprietary technology platform. Protagonist and JNJ scientists jointly discovered PN-235 as part of Protagonist’s Interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) antagonist collaboration with JNJ and followed it through IND-enabling pre-clinical and Phase 1 studies, with JNJ assuming responsibility for further clinical development. Rusfertide, a mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin, is the Company’s lead drug candidate currently in a global Phase 3 development program for polycythemia vera (PV). The randomized portion of the Phase 2 REVIVE study has been successfully completed, and results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February 2024. The open-label extension (OLE) component of Phase 2 REVIVE study is ongoing, followed by an additional 2-year long-term extension (LTE) THRIVE study. Enrollment has been completed in the global Phase 3 VERIFY study of rusfertide in polycythemia vera. Rusfertide is being co-developed and co-commercialized with Takeda pursuant to a worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Takeda announced in January 2024

• Scientific role, initially in the area of metabolic diseases
• Hands-on benchwork for assay development, assay troubleshooting/optimizations and for screening, including high-throughput cell-based assays, in formats that may utilize plate-based reporter assays, ELISA assays, multiplex technologies, flow cytometry etc.
• Design and perform experiments towards understanding the target biology and drug mechanism of action
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate scientific data to the project team in a timely manner
• Lead and/or assist in writing and revising technical documents including testing protocols and data reports
• Guide junior scientists and work collaboratively within biology group and other functional groups in discovery team
• Support data management, maintain cell lines, reagent & sample inventories as per needs of the project
• Ensure reagents, instruments, processes are up-to-date and meet the industry standar